The head of the Justice Department told hundreds of Hispanic lawyers and others from the legal profession Thursday that their influence is greater than ever before.

Attorney General Eric Holder was the keynote speaker at the Hispanic National Bar Association's annual convention in Albuquerque. Holder said his office and the Obama administration are committed to increasing diversity in the legal profession -- from the bench to all aspects of the federal government.

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"The Obama administration and the Justice Department are committed to a government that is broadly reflective of our nation," said Holder.

Holder made some pledges that were particularly appealing to his audience. He began his speech by promising to seek more diversity in the Justice Department by bringing in young and talented attorneys at all levels.

"As the nation's law firm, the Justice Department can and should reflect the diversity of the community that we protect and that we so proudly serve," he said.

Holder said his department would focus on several items that still need to be accomplished, such as the security of voting rights, efforts to assure equal housing, federal hate crime legislation and immigration reform.

"We will support the president's efforts to set a new national policy that secures our borders and enforces out laws, and that at the same time reaffirms out heritage as a nation of immigrants who are entitled to be treated with dignity and with respect," said Holder.

Also during a luncheon, a panel unveiled a new report -- a yearlong effort to examine the status of Hispanic women in the legal profession.

The report's authors say Latinas make up only 1.3 percent of lawyers in the United States and that much work needs to be done to encourage Hispanic women to enter and stay in the field.

Holder avoided talking about his agency's decision not to bring charges against Gov. Bill Richardson and former top aides in an alleged pay-to-play scheme.

Reporters were told in advance Holder would not take questions. Event organizers stationed reporters in an area at the back of the ballroom where Holder made his speech.

Holder left the building directly after the speech.

Last week, federal prosecutors announced they wouldn't seek indictments against the governor, although U.S. Attorney Greg Fouratt said the decision "is not to be interpreted as an exoneration of any party's conduct."